Monday, May 22, 2006

After submitting a bid to the Democratic Party last week, along with New Orleans, Denver and Minneapolis, New York sent one to the Republicans on Monday.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a lifelong Democrat until he switched parties in 2001, said Monday that playing host to the presidential conventions has "nothing to do with politics" and everything to do with economics. The Republican convention in New York in 2004 brought thousands of delegates and protesters to town, generating millions of dollars in extra business. The city contends that the economic benefits far outweighed the time and money spent on logistics and security.

The mayor said the Big Apple doesn't expect to win both bids and three days isn't long enough turnaround to set up for two huge events.

The Democratic Party, which held its 2004 convention in Boston, will make site visits at the four cities this summer before announcing its choice in the fall, a spokesman said.